M Y God, accept my heart this day, That I from Thee no more may stray, No more from Thee decline. Before the cross of Him Who died, Behold, I prostrate fall; Let every sin be crucified, And Christ be all in all. Anoint me with Thy heavenly grace Let every thought, and work, and word, Then life shall be Thy service, Lord, And death the gate of heaven! MATTHEW BRIDGES, A.D. 1848. (Church Hymnal, No. 429.) Thursday. SUBJECT-GOD'S WORD, AND PRAYER. Meditation. 1 Samuel, iii. 9. "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth," Pbilippians, iv. 6. "Let your requests be made known unto God." N the Bible God speaks to us; in IN Prayer we speak to God. How great a privilege! What a blessed inter change! How can I know what the will of the Lord is! He has Himself declared it. He tells me in His own word what He would have me to do-how He would have me to live here, and what He has provided I have for me in the world above. I have all my life had a Bible. sionally-perhaps daily. read it occaBut I have not prized it half enough. How seldom I can feel with David, and say, "Oh, how I love thy law; thy testimonies have I taken as my heritage for ever; they are the rejoicing of my heart!" There is no other book in the world which can declare with authority, "Thus saith the Lord." Other books may be written by good men; but this is the Book of God. Other books may have much truth in them; but here is all truth. Other books may be valuable; but this book is like gold without dross. Here, as I journey on, is a Guide-post directing me to my home. Here, as I am tossed to and fro on the sea of life, is a Compass pointing to the haven where I would be. Then let me study that word, as one who feels its value. And how blessed to be permitted to make all my requests known unto God in Prayer-to tell Him of all my wants, to pour out before Him all my troubles, to hold communion with Him! My Father sits upon His throne above. His ear is ever open. He has stores of blessings; and only waits for me to ask, that He may bestow them on me. Then let me be oftener in His presence. more as if I expected to be heard. Let me ask Let me speak as to a Friend. "Three times a day" will I pray to Him as Daniel did; yea, I will pray "without ceasing." Do I feel my sins? "I will arise and go to my Father," and tell them to Him. Is my heart oppressed? I will carry my cares, great and small, to Him. Am I perplexed? I will seek His counsel and direction. Do I need daily guidance? I will be ever putting myself in His safe hands. At this time especially, may the Lord pour out upon me "the Spirit of grace and of supplications"; and not now only, but may I ever be seeking Him who is far more ready to give than I am to ask. D° Self-Examination. OI regard the word of God as my daily nourishment? 2. Do I ever let worldly business rob me of time which I should devote to religious duties? 3. Do I feel my need of the Holy Spirit's teaching, when I read my Bible? And am I constantly asking for it? 4. Do I apply the promises, and threatenings, and precepts of Scripture to my own case? |